Who knew? Apparently, Sandra Oh, better known as Dr. Christina Yang on the television show Grey's Anatomy is not only vegan, she's also been getting her Grey's castmates to eat vegan food as well! She recently took a few of her friends and fellow actors to a vegan restaurant in Hollywood, where Patrick Dempsey (aka Dr. Shepherd aka "McDreamy") enjoyed some vegan chocolate cake, and Ellen Pompeo has been back several times to pick up more vegan delights! Now I really can't wait for the season premiere!

Link: Sandra Oh is converting the Grey's cast to veganism

Photo by Vince Bucci / Getty Images

Can you taste the difference between real meat and a vegetarian mock meat substitute? Apparently, according to a new study published in the Journal for Consumer Research, most people can't! In the study, performed by social anthropologists from three different universities, participants rated food items, including vegetarian mock meat substitutes, better when they thought they were eating the real thing.

The researchers report that although many people claim that they eat meat rather than a vegetarian substitute because they prefer the taste:

Our results challenge that claim. Participants who ate the vegetarian alternative did not rate the taste and aroma less favorably than those who ate the beef product. Instead, what influenced taste evaluation was what they thought they had eaten.

It seems that when it comes to taste, our perceptions and expectations shape our experience more than the actual food we eat. I'm not quite sure that this is a major scientific breakthrough, but at least the next time someone tells you they eat meat for the taste, you can confidently tell them that it really is all in their head!

News link: Give meatless rolls and cheap cola a chance
Journal link: The Interactive Effect of Cultural Symbols and Human Values on Taste Evaluation

I’ve really enjoyed reading the Omnivore’s Hundred food list that’s been circulating the internet, so I couldn’t resist putting together my own version – 100 Vegetarian Foods to try at some point in your life.

I selected foods, dishes and ingredients that have such a strong and unique flavor or cultural significance that they really stand out in the food world. I included exotic fruits and regional dishes, some of which are incredibly rare outside of their homeland, as well as a few standard vegetarian favorites, and some dishes with a small but dedicated "cult following". I’m not particularly a gourmand, so I’m sure I’ve selected some foods that would have true foodies snorting their noses in superiority. So, with reverence to the food blogger who created the list, and in agreement with several of the original list items, here’s my Vegetarian Hundred.

What would you add to this list? How many have you had? The Vegetarian 100 has an added twist, so no one can possibly have had all 100, but if anyone has had 99 of them, I salute you! I’ve had 85.

Just for fun, if you have a blog too, copy and paste the list, then bold the one’s you’ve tried and link to your blog in the comments section below. Have fun!

1. Fresh young coconut
2. Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves)
3. Truffle oil
4. Pomelo
5. Kalamata olives
6. Saffron
7. Inari sushi
8. Huckleberries
9. Cashew nut butter
10. Vegetarian black pudding
11. Vegetarian turducken
12. Indian barfi
13. Mangosteen

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If you've never tried couscous before, think of it like little tiny pasta noodles. Like pasta and whole grains, it doesn't taste like much on it's own, but will go great with a variety of sauces, spices and flavorings. One cup of cooked couscous has just 176 calories, zero fat, and also provides 6 grams of protein. Although couscous is traditionally steamed, most grocery stores carry instant couscous which can be prepared in just a few minutes. Or, try preparing your couscous in a crockpot or a rice steamer for a quick and convenient meal. Here are some vegetarian and vegan couscous recipes to try:

• Couscous with Lemon and Mint (pictured above)
• Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Couscous (pictured left)
• Couscous and Chickpea Salad
• Hot Couscous Breakfast Cereal
• Couscous with Spinach and Feta Cheese
• Moroccan Couscous with Sweet Potatoes

See also: How to Cook Couscous